The 2014-2021 Mazda6 with the 2.5L Skyactiv-G engine is generally solid, but catastrophic oil-dilution issues in certain early build years and transmission cooler failures make thorough pre-purchase inspection critical.
Symptoms: Excessive oil level on dipstick with gas smell in oil, Rough idle, misfires, check engine light for multiple cylinder misfires, Rapid bearing wear leading to knocking, loss of oil pressure, Complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Fuel pump recall (NHTSA 19V-120) addressed some cases, but damage is often done by the time symptoms appear. Requires full engine teardown to assess bearing/cylinder wall damage. Many need short block or complete engine replacement. 18-25 labor hours for engine R&R plus machine work if salvageable.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks / Cooler Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from front of vehicle, Harsh or delayed shifts when cold, Transmission overheating warning light, Pink or red fluid pooling under radiator area
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at crimp fittings or cooler itself cracks internally. Replace cooler assembly and both lines as a set, flush transmission. 3-4 labor hours including fluid refill and verification.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in Drive with brake applied, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in Park
Fix: Rubber in mounts deteriorates, especially the front transmission mount. Replace front and sometimes rear mount. 2-3 labor hours with proper support equipment.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Pump Failure / Low Pressure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Stalling at idle or during acceleration, Intermittent loss of power, surging, Check engine light for low fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0190)
Fix: Covered under NHTSA recall 19V-120 for some VINs, but pumps fail outside recall scope too. Requires fuel tank drop, pump module replacement, sometimes in-tank filter. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, Misfires on cold start, Reduced fuel economy, Check engine light for random/multiple misfires
Fix: Skyactiv direct injection means no fuel washing intake valves. Requires walnut blasting or manual scraping of all intake valves. Must remove intake manifold. 4-6 labor hours depending on access.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Alternator Regulator Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Battery light flickering or staying on, Voltage fluctuating (12V to 15V+ erratically), Electrical accessories acting up (dimming lights, radio resets), Battery repeatedly dying
Fix: Internal voltage regulator fails, causing overcharge or undercharge. Replace alternator assembly (regulator not sold separately on most). 1.5-2 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $500-850
Owner tips
Check oil level AND condition religiously every 1,000 miles through 90k to catch fuel dilution early—smelling the dipstick can save an engine
Change transmission fluid at 60k regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—cooler failures contaminate fluid and accelerate wear
Use Top Tier fuel and occasional Italian tune-up (highway runs) to minimize direct-injection carbon; consider walnut blasting by 100k preventively
Inspect transmission cooler lines and mounts during every oil change after 60k—early catch is cheap, failures strand you
Buy a 2017+ model year with documented oil analysis history and recent transmission service; avoid early 2014-2016 models unless the engine has already been replaced under warranty.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
ENGINE · 19V497000
2019-06-27
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
ENGINE · 19V497000
2019-06-27
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 17V546000
2017-08-31
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.
PARKING BRAKE · 17V393000
2017-06-22
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Consequence: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
PARKING BRAKE · 17V393000
2017-06-22
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Consequence: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · 16V753000
2016-10-18
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured August 12, 2016, to September 28, 2016 and equipped with optional accessory fog lights. Due to an incorrect combination switch being installed, the turn signals may not automatically cancel by the rotation of the steering wheel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: A vehicle continuously driven with the turn signal flashing may result in confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the combination switch, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0316J.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 14V675000
2014-10-27
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, to October 10, 2014. If the pressures of four of the tires on an affected vehicle gradually drop at the same time, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may not warn the driver of the drop in pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence: A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 14V675000
2014-10-27
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, to October 10, 2014. If the pressures of four of the tires on an affected vehicle gradually drop at the same time, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may not warn the driver of the drop in pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence: A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, through May 9, 2013. In the affected vehicles, it is possible to fill the fuel tank beyond its rated capacity.
Consequence: If the tank is overfilled, gas may flow into the charcoal canister (an evaporative emissions component) and possibly leak from the canister's external vent, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will inspect and add an adapter to the shut off valve in the fuel tank and also inspect the charcoal canister for the presence of gasoline, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7414D.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
Consequence: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
Consequence: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
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